Can Low Back Loading During Lifting Be Reduced by Placing One Leg Beside the Object to Be Lifted?

Abstract

Manual materials handling is considered to be an important risk factor for the development of low back pain because it can lead to spinal loading that exceeds tissue tolerance.1,2 In rehabilitation programs for patients with low back pain, such as intensive back schools, training in ergonomie factors during manual materials handling is often included.3,4 A systematic review5 showed that there is moderate evidence that back schools in occupational settings are, in short-term follow-up and medium-term follow-up, more effective (in terms of pain reduction, functional status, and return to work) than other interventions for nonspecific low back pain.